IT'S being billed as the most versatile Jaguar ever created.

Stylish and spacious, the new XF Sportbrake estate will make its debut at next week's Geneva Motor Show before hitting the streets later this year.

Sharing its underpinnings with the XF saloon, the Sportbrake's overall length grows by just 5mm, its weight by less 70kg and its chassis structure matches the strength of the conventional XF.

That means the new model can closely match the handling of the XF saloon yet offers a bigger, more practical load space and better rear headroom.

The tailgate can be specified with power struts and the boot can hold 550 litres with the rear seats up and 1,675 litres with the seats folded.

Practical touches include remote levers mounted within the boot area to lower the rear seats, powerful LEDs light up the ground when the boot is open while the tailgate itself features a soft close function.

Power will be exclusively diesel - 2.2-litre four cylinder and 3.0-litre V6, with rear-wheel drive via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Prices and specifications will be announced nearer the launch in late summer.